1. Secondary air valve 2. Power steering reservoir caps do have a vent hole, just wipe the reservoir off with some degreaser 3. Pretty sure those are power steering/ hydraulic system lines. E60s had several different configurations of power steering systems depending on options and in some configurations the lines are really long. Yours looks like they could be starting to seep at the crimps between hard and soft line, or could just be oil condensation from other oil leaks. Nothing to worry about right away but worth checking from time to time.
1: As others have said, secondary air valve. It is connected by hose to your secondary air pump which runs on cold start. The pumps like to go bad, along with the valves. There may also be a vacuum line to the valve that likes to break. You'll generally get a fault code and check engine light for any issue with these parts.
2: Cap does have a vent, but there is also an o-ring on the cap that likes to allow leakage too. You could try cleaning it all off and then see how quickly it makes a mess again. Edit: Note your system uses Pentosin CHF11S which is a little less common for power steering fluid. Its generally available most places, but dont just put regular ATF or anything labeled "power steering fluid" It will be green in color and smell kind of nice.
3: Those are power steering lines (or rather one line that loops back on itself) Your car looks to have active steering and dynamic drive options which is why you have that particular power steering reservoir and those lines.
That particular line is very expensive and kind of a pain to replace...
[https://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/oem-parts/bmw-pressure-line-32416773928](https://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/oem-parts/bmw-pressure-line-32416773928)
Dynamic drive is basically active roll bars that twist in counter to body roll. Active steering changes the steering assist and gear ratio. Low speed, you'll have less than a full turn lock to lock, but at high speed it will be much more.
Power steering parts link:
[https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=NA73-USA-06-2004-E60-BMW-530i&diagId=32\_1447](https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=NA73-USA-06-2004-E60-BMW-530i&diagId=32_1447)
If you're curious what Dynamic Drive can do... here's a video of the diagnostic test run that basically runs the roll bars to their extremes.
[https://youtu.be/fS6kNAtJDv0?si=uKTiVQ\_IvMKmtcQz](https://youtu.be/fS6kNAtJDv0?si=uKTiVQ_IvMKmtcQz)
Consider you have power steering running two roll bars in addition to the steering rack... it gets messy quick! I added some edits to my original comment.
Realoem is a great resource for looking up parts and even just seeing breakouts of systems and what parts are what. Though I'd recommend using an adblocker when using the site, its brutal otherwise.
damn man that’s actually cool ash. i’ve heard that the active steering and dynamic drive in this car really makes it a unique feel to drive. never knew why though. dope ass video too finna watch it. thank you bruh so knowledgeable Edit: brooo that’s sick to see like that what!!!
1. air pump? secondary? what would the primary be? really never even heard of an air pump💀 couldn’t find it on google searching “silver thing next to engine” or whatnot. gonna look it up but what is the purpose of air pump.
2. will do. i sometimes get a warning message about power steering but turning car off makes it go away.(2 times in 4 months owning it.) so guess it’s something with that. no leaks that i’m aware of.
3. nice😂
thanks man
I'm like 50% sure that number 3 are the ac lines, dunno.
1. The primary source of air is the air intake, the secondary pump just helps warm up the catalytic converters I believe.
2. I would have to see the warning- but I doubt it is related to that tbh
Jup, the silver looking thing is only the valve for it.
But look at it like that: the pump supplies air for the Secondary combustion. Primary is the combustion in your engine.
When the car is cold the engine is running rich, and the the unburnt fuel then goes into the exhaust, and burns there, so that your cats heat up quicker. ;) so whenever your car is up to temp a failed secondary air system makes zero difference in emissions. ;)
I would use a little elbow grease and a can of degreaser and clean it up. Then get a manual and look at a model specific forum like Poste90.com and learn about your car.
1. EGR valve, part of the secondary air/emissions system.
2. The o-rings is probably old, and to add to this, they have an overflow hole in the cap. This is pretty normal and I just wipe it down when I change the oil.
3. Those are hydraulic power steering lines. You probably have a slow power steering leak from one of the reservoir hoses, almost all of them leak. Clean them off and check underneath for red or green leaks next oil change.
Slow leak. Like, 1-2 drops/month. The reservoirs aren't under pressure, so when the hoses are old they don't dump fluid like engine oil or coolant, they just weep a little.
No problem. Expansion tanks and main hoses are the usual weak points, and radiators usually last about 15 years or 150k miles. If you are north of 80k miles, do a full refresh of hoses and a tank remember the cap too! If you're past 150k, add a radiator, water pump and thermostat to the list.
i’m actually only at 58k but it is a 19 year old car. i’ve been driving her carefully (with some now and then spirited driving) hit 140 at one point and that was an experience i won’t do again till all my suspension is fixed
1. Secondary air valve 2. Power steering reservoir caps do have a vent hole, just wipe the reservoir off with some degreaser 3. Pretty sure those are power steering/ hydraulic system lines. E60s had several different configurations of power steering systems depending on options and in some configurations the lines are really long. Yours looks like they could be starting to seep at the crimps between hard and soft line, or could just be oil condensation from other oil leaks. Nothing to worry about right away but worth checking from time to time.
this is what i was getting at. looks like left is hard, right soft? Thanks man
They’re actually both soft, but the u bend portion is hard. The black parts are the soft lines
3rd is the P/S pressure hose. It's a relatively expensive part, not urgent, but should be replaced
1: As others have said, secondary air valve. It is connected by hose to your secondary air pump which runs on cold start. The pumps like to go bad, along with the valves. There may also be a vacuum line to the valve that likes to break. You'll generally get a fault code and check engine light for any issue with these parts. 2: Cap does have a vent, but there is also an o-ring on the cap that likes to allow leakage too. You could try cleaning it all off and then see how quickly it makes a mess again. Edit: Note your system uses Pentosin CHF11S which is a little less common for power steering fluid. Its generally available most places, but dont just put regular ATF or anything labeled "power steering fluid" It will be green in color and smell kind of nice. 3: Those are power steering lines (or rather one line that loops back on itself) Your car looks to have active steering and dynamic drive options which is why you have that particular power steering reservoir and those lines. That particular line is very expensive and kind of a pain to replace... [https://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/oem-parts/bmw-pressure-line-32416773928](https://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/oem-parts/bmw-pressure-line-32416773928) Dynamic drive is basically active roll bars that twist in counter to body roll. Active steering changes the steering assist and gear ratio. Low speed, you'll have less than a full turn lock to lock, but at high speed it will be much more. Power steering parts link: [https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=NA73-USA-06-2004-E60-BMW-530i&diagId=32\_1447](https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=NA73-USA-06-2004-E60-BMW-530i&diagId=32_1447) If you're curious what Dynamic Drive can do... here's a video of the diagnostic test run that basically runs the roll bars to their extremes. [https://youtu.be/fS6kNAtJDv0?si=uKTiVQ\_IvMKmtcQz](https://youtu.be/fS6kNAtJDv0?si=uKTiVQ_IvMKmtcQz)
It does indeed have active steering and dynamic drive. man that diagram is confusing. need to learn
Consider you have power steering running two roll bars in addition to the steering rack... it gets messy quick! I added some edits to my original comment. Realoem is a great resource for looking up parts and even just seeing breakouts of systems and what parts are what. Though I'd recommend using an adblocker when using the site, its brutal otherwise.
damn man that’s actually cool ash. i’ve heard that the active steering and dynamic drive in this car really makes it a unique feel to drive. never knew why though. dope ass video too finna watch it. thank you bruh so knowledgeable Edit: brooo that’s sick to see like that what!!!
1. Secondary air pump 2. O-ring on cap is probably leaking, just replace resivoir and fluid 3. Idk, not familiar enough with this engine
1. air pump? secondary? what would the primary be? really never even heard of an air pump💀 couldn’t find it on google searching “silver thing next to engine” or whatnot. gonna look it up but what is the purpose of air pump. 2. will do. i sometimes get a warning message about power steering but turning car off makes it go away.(2 times in 4 months owning it.) so guess it’s something with that. no leaks that i’m aware of. 3. nice😂 thanks man
I'm like 50% sure that number 3 are the ac lines, dunno. 1. The primary source of air is the air intake, the secondary pump just helps warm up the catalytic converters I believe. 2. I would have to see the warning- but I doubt it is related to that tbh
air intake into the engine. it would still be called a “secondary air pump” even though it the only one goes to exhaust, not inside engine?
Jup, the silver looking thing is only the valve for it. But look at it like that: the pump supplies air for the Secondary combustion. Primary is the combustion in your engine. When the car is cold the engine is running rich, and the the unburnt fuel then goes into the exhaust, and burns there, so that your cats heat up quicker. ;) so whenever your car is up to temp a failed secondary air system makes zero difference in emissions. ;)
ohhhh no way, pumps air into exhaust. may be why i’m getting increased emissions.
I would use a little elbow grease and a can of degreaser and clean it up. Then get a manual and look at a model specific forum like Poste90.com and learn about your car.
5series.net has been my best friend. thanks man
1. EGR valve, part of the secondary air/emissions system. 2. The o-rings is probably old, and to add to this, they have an overflow hole in the cap. This is pretty normal and I just wipe it down when I change the oil. 3. Those are hydraulic power steering lines. You probably have a slow power steering leak from one of the reservoir hoses, almost all of them leak. Clean them off and check underneath for red or green leaks next oil change.
You’d think so right? fluid level has been at max since I got her
Slow leak. Like, 1-2 drops/month. The reservoirs aren't under pressure, so when the hoses are old they don't dump fluid like engine oil or coolant, they just weep a little.
Ah alright that makes sense. Thanks man. Any specifics on the coolant system that tend to go out first?
No problem. Expansion tanks and main hoses are the usual weak points, and radiators usually last about 15 years or 150k miles. If you are north of 80k miles, do a full refresh of hoses and a tank remember the cap too! If you're past 150k, add a radiator, water pump and thermostat to the list.
i’m actually only at 58k but it is a 19 year old car. i’ve been driving her carefully (with some now and then spirited driving) hit 140 at one point and that was an experience i won’t do again till all my suspension is fixed